Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-05-21
THE OBJECT OF THE DRILL.
How the National Guard May be Rene.
fitted BY IL.

The purposes and objects OF the drill were set
forth by the executive committee in memorial to
Congress. "Within the past decade" they said,
interstate competitive drills Of the volunteer SOL
diers of the United States have been held at DIFF
ferent points OF this country always with steadily
increasing advantage to the drill, discipline and
morale of the militia, and with steadily lncreas
ing attention and interest OF the general citizen
ship OF the several States The idea has frequently
been canvassed, and the feeling over the Union
has grown, that national competitive drill and
encampnent at the national capital would not
only collect larger body Of representative SOL
diers Of the several States, but would be Of more
tional character the event would necessarily at
tain amid national surroundings. Impressed with
some ninety citizens have raised money to the
amount OF $50 600 to secure payment OF all prizes
n ,or go she extsnto IN msne
merit, &c. &c.) and all other expenses Of the drill,
and have completed all preliminary arrange
ments."
In this memorial Congress was reminded "that
the volunteer commands, comprising the National
Guard OF the Union, embrace the most thoroughly
whence they come; that the professions, trades,
capital labor, and all business interests therein
are directly connected with, and in the main COM
PRISE them; that they thus aggregate the reliance
and reserve power Of the entire Union in its mill
Larry arm, and thus enforce practically our repub-
lean theory Of a large and well-appointed militia
force In lieu OF an expensive standing army" In
q circular issued by the committee the two-f0d
object OF the National Drill was set forth as fol-
proficiency in the science Of arms OF the citizen
soldlery OF the Union, through emulation and
friendly competition on the common ground of the
national capital. Second. The massing Of repre-
sentative men. comprised in the volunteer organi-
cations, in the fraternal associations Of a camp,
where they may better appreciate each other and
learn mutual reliance should the national reserves
ever be called to stand shoulder to shoulder In de-
fenSe OF their common country.
GOOD THING ALL AROUND.
It was believed by the citizens who have been
active in arranging for the drill that it would be
a good thing for the city of Washington, and for
have to depend TO a large extent for safety and
protection In time OF war. Such drills It is held,
are highly beneficial not only to the organizations
country. The assembling OF these military organ
nations from all parts OF the country has the effect
OF Identifying them with the army Of citizen sol
olera BY meeting In competition spirit OF
friendly rivalry is engendered which cannot but
have good effect In melting them to more earnest
ne
tary service in time OF need. As Gen. Ordway said
In the course OF his remarks TO the officers Of the
"The National Guard is intended to perform
threefod duty-to act as reserve police to protect
property and life In case Of a sudden emergency;
war be proclaimed by holding the defenses until
an army can be raised; and to be training school
Tor the people VINO may be called upon to bear
arms In the defense OF their country"
TRAINING SCHOOLS FOR SOLDIERS.
Those who have given attention to the matter
are Of the opinion that drills such as will be con-
Quoted here next week, are OF material assistance
in attaining that object, and that they will event.
ualy result in the establishment OF annual en-
campments State organizations will have GEN.
trally located camping ground, where they will be
stationed regularly for certain length OF time
every summer and be required TO do all that an
army engaged in actual warfare would be called
upon to do. To carry out the idea to its compile
ton, this State camping ground will be the head
quarters OF all the State organizations where their
extra arms, equipments and camp equipage will
be retained the year round. With such complete
organization, thoroughly understood by all inter
eSted call to arms by the governors OF the States
would result in immediate congregation at the
camping grounds OF all the organizations in each
State, who would thus be enabled to take the field
without loss OF unnecessary time. Orders from
the National Government to assemble at any
point on the border the coast or in the interior
could be 0beyed by all the States simultaneously
ana Weil-dfscfptned: well-equipped and numeri-
cally strong army could be opposed to an invading
force In surprisingly short time. such plan,
In all its details, might not be perfected for years
to come.